At YELLS, we empower youth to serve and uplift their community, and it’s inspiring to see that spirit continue long after they graduate. Fozia Paracha, a former “Big” in our YELLS Mentoring Program from 2009–2011, is a shining example of paying it forward. After moving back to the area, Fozia…
When Chidubem joined YELLS last year, he brought his vibrant personality, full of positive energy and enthusiasm. At first, his eagerness sometimes made listening and following directions a challenge. He was so full of excitement he could hardly sit still. Chidubem has since turned those very traits into strengths, becoming…
Check out our 2024-2025 Impact Report and get inspired by the ways that together we have made a measurable difference for the youth and families of our shared community. Thank you for your investment and faith in YELLS that makes all of this possible. Our work is collaborative and our results…
When Ruth first joined the YELLS Afterschool Program, she faced a challenge that would intimidate many students her age: learning English as a second language. Reading felt like climbing a mountain, each page filled with obstacles. At YELLS, though, Ruth had learned the power of “yet,” and she knew that…
YELLS is blessed to have the support of incredible corporate partners like GDS Associates, Inc. Their team knows we are stronger together, and they share their time and gifts with us year after year, rolling up their sleeves to clean and transform our site each fall, providing holiday gifts for…
When Mr. Robin retired, he knew he wanted to use his extra time to make a difference. He had been a 5th grade teacher for three years during his early career, and he was searching “aggressively,” he says, for a place where he could continue to pour into the lives…
Read through and watch the videos for the following “YELLSy” experiential activity ideas. Marble Pipeline Objective: Work as a team to get a series of marbles from one side of the room to the other using only pieces of pipe cut in half Tic-Tac-Toe Relay Team Snakes Team snakes uses…
We are thrilled to announce that we now have our very own Little Free Library here on campus at YELLS! Little Free Libraries are community tools that operate on the “Take One, Leave One” principle. With this in mind, it encourages students to take a book and leave a book…
The 2023-2024 Mentoring Retreat was a huge success! Each year, to welcome our “Bigs” into the Mentoring program, we host a retreat that emphasizes and teaches the importance of the YELLS values. “Bigs” are 9th-12th grade students who will be paired with one elementary schooler that they will mentor and…
Help Design Fair Oaks’ New Youth Program! / Ayuda a Diseñar el Futuro Programa para Jóvenes de Fair Oaks Parent Survey / Encuesta para Padres Parent Survey – English Encuesta para Padres – Español Teen Survey / Encuesta para Jóvenes Teen Survey – English Encuesta para Jóvenes – Español YELLS…
